This is Beauty

One of my instagram challenges this week was "this is beauty". To be honest with you, I haven't felt like I've seen much beauty this week. With no weekend adventure or epic hike, and with gray skies and a week mostly at home, beauty is harder to find.

But when you look for it, it can be found.

Here are 5 random places I've found beauty this week.....

 1. This is beauty....this is hope....this is truth....this is life....this is God's word. We deserve death, but God gives us life! (Ephesians 2:4)

2. Beauty in my backyard. When my bird feeder has seed, I have beautiful backyard visitors. I love watching all the different birds visit. Our birdseed has run out and I need to make a point to get more this weekend.

3. This is Esther....my beautiful, new Compassion daughter from Uganda. I've been reading the stories the Compassion bloggers have been posting all week, and when I realized I didn't sponsor a child from Uganda, I felt a nudging to check the available children. I made a deal with myself to sponsor the very first child I saw and this beautiful girl is her. It helps that her name is Esther...my grandma's name. You can read more about the story here if you want. Sponsorship is a beautiful thing and I'm honored God has allowed us to partner with Him through this experience.

4. My oldest is growing up so quickly. She's taken a new interest in preparing breakfast every morning for herself, her sister and sometimes even me. I love letting her experiment and grow in this way. I love seeing her become more responsible and independent. She is a beautiful girl.

5. Another instagram challenge - the theme was pastels. I much prefer bright colors, but found just enough pastels in my home to create this collage.  A beautiful little clay sculpture created by my girl, colored pencils from our art drawer, fresh eggs from a violin student and a mini teacup. Beauty in the everyday.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

linking with Random 5 Friday and Beauty Observed